Abstract

VoiceThread is a popular Web 2.0 program and has been used by many educators because of its ease of use and flexibility. It is an asynchronous online discussion board with audio/video capabilities. Various studies show that VoiceThread promotes students’ engagement and collaboration in different subject areas at all grade levels. The purpose of the presentation is to share the author’s recent experiment on VoiceThead in an online course. Thirty-eight pre-service and in-service teachers engage in two different tasks using VoiceThread. After they complete the assignments, they respond to an online survey for assessing the pedagogical affordance of VoiceThread.

in TS. ERIC NO. ED521286. UNPUBLISHED RESEARCH PAPER, NEW YORK INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. (2011)

Abstract

This action research study was conducted on a fourth grade rural classroom in Orange County, N.Y. for the purpose of determining if the use of the VoiceThread program will affect student performance in mathematics writing. A baseline of student performance on this measure was administered in the fall of 2010 using the NYS Holistic rubric of a 3 point total value as provided from the NYS 2009 4th grade Math Test. Four questions on varying topics were pulled from the same test as the rubric mentioned here. In addition, a graphic organizer was utilized to support organization of student thoughts on the problem. A survey was administered to the students at the end of this study which demonstrated positive attitudes towards the use of graphic organizers and the VoiceThread Program to communicate in math. Other results of the data provide positive results with an increase in student performance. Implications from this study’s results should lead educators to try VoiceThread as a way to increase communication in mathematics and also to increase 21st century skills in their own classrooms. Recommendations for further studies in this area include; making the sample size larger, paying more attention to the type of question the participants work on and having the parties conducting the study someone different than the teacher of the participants. (Contains 2 tables, 1 figure, and an appendix.)

Abstract

The development of technologies such as probeware requires training, not only in its use, but also in its integration into the curriculum. It is a common practice for schools to spend large portions of their budget on purchasing technology while neglecting to provide funding for the much-needed professional development. The availability of online professional development has provided in-service teachers opportunities to overcome traditional barriers of distance and time and allowed them to seek out and participate in much needed training. In recent years online instruction has incorporated the use of Web 2.0 tools to facilitate professional development for science teachers. While research on the use of Web 2.0 tools in professional development have been conducted, research on newer tools, such as VoiceThread, that can be used to deliver instruction is limited. In light of the increased use (purchase) of probeware in our schools the question of whether or not professional development can be effectively delivered through the use of VoiceThread has been the focus of this research.